Gendered sexual uses of alcohol and associated risks: a qualitative study of Nigerian University students

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol misuse among young people is a global phenomenon. In many countries, young people engage in heavy drinking and this exacerbates risky sexual behaviour. In Nigeria, alcohol held multiple roles in the traditional era but was mainly consumed by adult males for pleasure. Adult females and young people were culturally constrained from drinking in most communities. In contemporary Nigeria, young people’s drinking is increasing, and many engage in sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol.MethodsThis study draws on the traditional gender and social sexual scripts to explore the factors that motivate young people to use alcohol for sexual purposes. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 to 23-year old male and female undergraduate students from a Nigerian university. Thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVivo 10 software.ResultsMen drink to become confident to initiate sexual relationships, stimulate sexual urges, prolong erection, increase sexual satisfaction and become more aggressive during sexual intercourse. Women also drink to be bold in initiating sexual relationships, for sexual arousal and to increase satisfaction. Relatedly, not every brand of alcohol is used for sexual purposes. For example, while men use ‘herbal’ alcoholic beverages and a mixture of locally-produced gin and marijuana, women use champagne and other flavoured alcoholic beverages. The results also revealed that young people use alcohol or salt in a bid to prevent conception after sexual intercourse.ConclusionsAdherence to the traditional gender (masculinity) and social sexual scripts amongst men and the enactment of what appears to be a new form of femininity script amongst women contribute to a culturally specific understanding of the motivations to use alcohol for sexual purposes. Evidence-based strategies should be employed to distribute information about the consequences of sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol.

Multiple sexual partnerships and associated factors among young psychoactive-substance-users in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda

“…Also, psychoactive substance users may engage in multiple sexual partnerships expecting better sexual experiences (expectancies) with different partners. Similarly, Doku [7] and [58] reported that young people in Ghana and Nigeria respectively often used psychoactive substances to enhance their sexual pleasures.…”

Do sexual expectancies and inhibitions predict high-risk sexual behaviours? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey among young psychoactive substance users in the informal settlements of Kampala, Uganda

“…Users of psychoactive substances often have the perception that they will provide them with benefits that no other substance can. According to the expectancy theory, users suppose that psychoactive substances will reduce sexual inhibition, such as lack of confidence to approach sexual partners, and on the other hand, enhance benefits such as sexual pleasure, arousal, and performance (7)(8)(9)(10). Such expectancies often drive the desire to engage in high-risk sexual behaviours.…”

“…Emerging evidence indicates that users of psychoactive substances perceive them to be associated with increasing sexual arousal, delaying premature ejaculation, and prolonging sexual intercourse (8). Such perceptions are often driven by cultural beliefs that portray good sex to be long and penetrative (8).…”

“…Emerging evidence indicates that users of psychoactive substances perceive them to be associated with increasing sexual arousal, delaying premature ejaculation, and prolonging sexual intercourse (8). Such perceptions are often driven by cultural beliefs that portray good sex to be long and penetrative (8). In a society where having a sexual partner is necessary to show that someone is normal, the use of psychoactive substances has been key in stimulating erections and boosting the confidence of young people to initiate sexual relationships or even engage in sexual intercourse (8).…”

“…Such perceptions are often driven by cultural beliefs that portray good sex to be long and penetrative (8). In a society where having a sexual partner is necessary to show that someone is normal, the use of psychoactive substances has been key in stimulating erections and boosting the confidence of young people to initiate sexual relationships or even engage in sexual intercourse (8).…”